Rate the Patriots’ moves

Wes Welker’s decision to leave the Patriots and sign with the Denver Broncos sent the biggest shockwave through Patriot nation as the NFL’s free agency period began and teams started retooling for the 2013 season. But it was far from the only move to affect the team.

Check out what other changes the Patriots have made, and vote whether you thought it was a smart or foolish move.
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Tom Gannam

Danny Amendola

It didn't take long for the Patriots to find a replacement for Wes Welker in ex-Rams wide receiver Danny Amendola. The two both went to college at Texas Tech and both were not drafted.

Now, they’ll both be able to list catching passes from Tom Brady on their resumes. Amendola agreed to a 5-year, $31 million deal with the Patriots, and although he's slightly bigger than Welker, the two are similar in versatility and speed.

Amendola is used to the comparisons.

“I’ve been hearing them for a long time,” Amendola said. “He’s a great player, he’s been to Pro Bowls, he did a lot of things to help the Patriots win, but my goal ... is to help the Patriots win as well.”

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Matt Slocum

Will Svitek

The Patriots' first offensive line transaction was signing tackle Will Svitek to a 1-year, $1 million contract. Svitek can play both tackle positions, but was out last season with an arm injury. In 2011, he played 10 games for the Atlanta Falcons.

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Paul Connors

Adrian Wilson

After 12 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, strong safety Adrian Wilson was released in a salary-cap move and will join New England as a physical presence the defense is in need of. Wilson, 33, played in 15 games last season and had 39 tackles, three sacks, one interception, five pass breakups and a forced fumble.

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Jim Rogash

Wes Welker

A fan favorite for his toughness and willingness to catch passes in the middle of the field, Welker is regarded as one of the NFL’s top slot receivers. He has had five 100-reception seasons, and was named to the Pro Bowl the last five seasons.

Welker, 31, leaves one future Hall of Fame quarterback in Tom Brady to catch passes for another, Peyton Manning in Denver. He has 768 career receptions for 8,580 yards and 38 touchdowns.

“Yeah, that was definitely probably the hardest part was leaving Tom,” Welker said. “He’s a great competitor, a great player, a great friend, across the board, so I wish the best to him.”

Wide receiver Donald Jones became an unrestricted free agent after spending the last three season with the Buffalo Bills. Jones signed a three-year deal with the Patriots that pays him just over a million dollars a year.

He caught 41 passes for 443 yards and four touchdowns last season. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds at the combine coming out of Youngstown State.

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Elaine Thompson

Leon Washington

Former Seattle Seahawks kick returner/running back Leon Washington signed a one-year deal with the Patriots. Last season, Washington trailed the Ravens' Jacoby Jones for the league lead in kickoff return yard average at 29.

Washington, 30, has eight career kickoff returns for touchdowns. He spent his first four seasons with the Jets.

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Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

Aqib Talib

Cornerback Aqib Talib agreed to stay with the Patriots for another season, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $5 million. The Washington Redskins were also in the running to sign the 27-year-old, but it was reported that their tight salary cap made it difficult to pin Talib down.

Talib, 27, joined the Patriots at last season’s trading deadline and played in six regular-season games. He’s played 64 career games and made 19 interceptions.

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JIM YOUNG

Kyle Arrington

The Patriots decided to re-sign cornerback Kyle Arrington for four years and a reported $16 million with $8.5 million guaranteed. He'll get $7.5 million in his first year alone. After being with the Patriots since 2009, Arrington said he wanted to stay with New England and tweeted "Thankful and Blessed for another opportunity" after agreeing to his contract.

Arrington, 26, has played in all 16 regular-season games in each of his last three seasons. He has eight career interceptions.

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Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

Michael Hoomanawanui

New England also re-signed tight end Michael Hoomanawanui by tendering him a contract as a restricted free agent. It'll be his second season with the Patriots, and he will reportedly receive around $1.3 million.

Hoomanawanui, 24, has played three seasons in the NFL. He spent 2010 and 2011 with the Rams. He has 25 career receptions for 338 yards and three touchdowns.

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Rhona Wise

Niko Koutouvides

Linebacker Niko Koutouvides has played with the Patriots since 2011 and will see another season in a New England jersey. He signed on for one year at a reported $1 million.

Koutouvides, 31, has played nine seasons in the NFL and recorded 164 combined tackles and one sack.

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Elise Amendola

Danny Woodhead

Another fan favorite like Welker, Danny Woodhead will also play for a different team next year: the San Diego Chargers. Although Woodhead was in serious talks with the New York Jets, Woodhead agreed to the contract presented by the Chargers and told The Mighty 1090 radio station in San Diego, "They [the Chargers' coaching staff] made me excited to be a part of what's going on."

Woodhead, 28, spent the last three seasons in New England after being cut by the Jets at the end of training camp in 2010. He has 265 career carries for 1,263 yards. He appeared in 45 games for the Patriots over the last three seasons.

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Jim Davis

Patrick Chung

The Patriots lost safety Patrick Chung almost immediately after the NFL free agency opened, as he landed a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles that ended his four-year career with New England.

Chung, 25, had 239 combined tackles, three sacks, and seven interceptions in 50 games with the Patriots. he missed four games in 2012 and eight in 2011.

Offensive lineman Donald Thomas was one of the first free agents off New England's roster when free agency opened. Thomas, who played in all 16 regular season and 2 playoff games for the Patriots last season, signed with the Indianapolis Colts.

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